Dermatology Flashcards
What are the main causes of Urticaria?
Idiopathic
Food
Iatrogenic
Contact
Insect bites
Viral
Parasitic infections
Autoimmune
Hereditary
Explain the pathophysiology behind Urticaria?
Local inflammatory response causes the release of histamine from mast cells.
This causes vasodilation of local capillaries and venues leading to swelling of the superficial dermis. This raises the epidermis causing itchy wheals.
What are the cytokines involved in Urticaria?
Histamine
Leukotrienes
Prostaglandins
What is the management for Urticaria?
Antihistamines (eg. Chlorphenamine 4mg)
Corticosteroids can be prescribed for severe Urticaria and angioedema
What is Erythema nodosum?
This is localised inflammation of subcutaneous fat.
It presents as discrete tender nodules which may become confluent and are commonly found on the shins.
What are the main causes of Erythema nodosum?
Pregnancy
IBD
Sarcoidosis
Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococci
Primary TB
Malignancy
Chlamydia and Leprosy
What is the management of Erythema nosodum?
Conservative management. It is a condition that is usually self-resolving.
What is Erythema multiforme? What usually causes this condition?
This is an acute self-limiting inflammatory condition that is caused by Herpes simplex virus.
Mucosal involvement is absent or limited to one surface.
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
What is its appearance on Histology?
It is a mucocutaneous necrosis with at least two mucosal sites involved.
Its appearance on Histopathology is epithelial necrosis with a few inflammatory cells.
What causes Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
It is commonly caused by medication. Examples include
- Allopurinol
- Carbamazepine
- Phenytoin
- Lamotrigine
How are Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic epidermal necrosis similar?
They have overlapping features which include prodromal illness.
What is Toxic epidermal necrosis?
This is a drug-induced acute severe disease characterised by extensive skin and mucosal necrosis with systemic toxicity. Full thickness epidermal necrosis occurs with sub epidermal detachment.
How do you manage TEN and SJS?
Early recognition and escalation to a senior.
Stop offending/causative substance.
Full supportive care to maintain haemodynamic equilibrium.
What is the cause of death in SJS and TEN?
Sepsis, electrolyte imbalance or multi-system organ failure.
What is the name of the condition whereby a patient presents with exfoliative dermatitis that covers at least 90% of the skin surface?
Erythroderma!
How does a patient with Erythoderma present?
Skin inflamed, oedematous and scaly.
General malaise.
Management of erythoderma?
Treat the underlying cause
Emollients and wet wraps to maintain skin moisture.
Topical steroids.
What is necrotising fasciitis?
A rapidly spreading infection of the deep fascia with secondary tissue necrosis.
How does necrotising fasciitis present?
Severe pain
Erythematous splitting necrotic skin
Fever
Tachycardia
Pulmonary crepitus
X-ray may show soft tissue gas.
Management of necrotising fasciitis?
Urgent referral for extensive surgical debridement.
IV antibiotics.
Mortality is 76%
What is Erysipelas?
Acute superficial form of cellulitis that involves the dermis and the upper subcutaneous tissues
What is cellulitis?
Inflammation of the deep subcutaneous tissues